St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-06-11
COMMENCEMENT DAYS.

PARLIAMENTARY LA W
A Symposium Of Opinion on the
Propriety Of the Public Parade.
As schools multiply, especially high
schools and colleges, from which STU
dents graduate" and as these increase
in numbers year by year, the old method
of parading graduating class, the men,
bers of which must be selected with a
view to their ability to appear WELL and
who must each and all sacrifice their
last months of school life to preparation
for this special public display, becomes
year by year more obnoxious to the right
thinking, both among students and teach
ers. Strange to say, it is the parents
who cling to the time-honored custom,
which has sort of sacramento charac-
ter to many of them, and sets the seal
upon the years of study, even though
the pupil does nothing but dress in white
and act as spectator of the Shower pu-
pills. performances.
The dress question, toos complicates
the matter, az 1t does every one in which
women are interested. 1t was simple
enough years ago when the white frock
was of cotton, with few tucks, was
made at home and served for Sunday
wear afterward. But this sort of dress
Ing is out of date One member of a
graduating class, with whom money is no
object, sets the fashion for the rest, and
there are rt-burnings extending over
months, and efforts to which much real
good is sacrificed, and which only result
in modification.
For school life itself has become
very different thing from what it was
formerly, more of strain and extend
ing over longer period, and with seri-
Gus work at the end of it, into which the
thought of white muslin frocks and
idyllic leisure does not enter. 1t is
pretty we'll understood now that the col
lege Is not fashionable school and that
it is the door to professional life.
Fashionable mothers do not want their
daughters to receive that kind of educa-
ton, or come in contact with the strug-
Cling and aspiring young women,
who, by dint Of personal effort, or the
sacrifices of hardworking parents, are
acquiring the instrumentalities by which
to carve out future career. Every day,
every hour, every dollar to these girls is
important. What they have done-what
has been done for them-may just fall
short of extremity; they do not want to
be pushed to that extremity which may
have disastrous consequences.
The more earnest the girl the more
serious the problem, so that it is now
matter of anxious discussion in many
schools, while few have quietly solved
it for themselves by dropping the essay
and valedictory business, and making
commencement" social day for the
students and their friends-the talking,
whatever there is, coming in the more
sensible shape of good counsel to the
pupils, instead of high-fown platitudes
from the latter to their teachers sand
relatives.
All, however, have not found salts
factory solution to the vexed question
of what can be done to satisfy those pa
rents and pupils who consider the pub
lie parade as part Of their moneys worth.
S1What can be suggested as a substi
tuteT wrote not long since lady prin
cipal of successful Southern seminary.
''The usual commencement occupies
time; leads to vulgar desire
for individual distinction and display;
forces unjust discrimination, and it's re-
suits are often hurtful and misleading.
Can you suggest any improvement on
the old plan ?''
10 obtain an answer to this question,
letters were written which elected the
following expressions of opinion from
various responsible and authoritative
sources.
Aprofessor of the University at Ann
Arbor, Mich, writes:
Conceding that "commencements" are the
universal and approved form of closing the
scholastic year, the question arises as to
how these high days or anniversaries can be
made Of most value and interest to the par
Elephants.
The rapid advance in educational methods
has not left untouched the old-time COM
mencement anniversaries. The new ideas
are supplanting the old in regard to its cele-
oration, and are attracting much attention
IN the educational world.
There are three recognized modes of OBJ
serving commandments: % All the mem
Ders of the graduating class may deliver
speeches or read essays. (2) The faculty
may choose commencement orators from
he class, on the basis Of superior scholar
ship. % The president or faculty may in
vite distinguished man Cor woman) to
make the commencement address.
The first plan is impracticable where the
graduating class numbers more than ten or
,welve members; it is also undesirable, be
cause students totally unfit for public speak
ing are obliged to undertake it, to their own
discontinue and the modification of their
friends.
shEN